From Court room to political stage – the Bawumia factor in NPP race

Nicknamed Mr Digital, Vice President of the republic of Ghana, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia became a household name in Ghanaian politics when he mounted the witness box during the 2012 electoral petition to face the ‘almighty’ Supreme Court Judge, William Atuguba and fancied NDC Lawyer, Tsatsu Tsikata.

“You and I were not there”, “27 zero”, “the hand of God” were among the numerous terms that were bandied around in those days. Interstingly, these phrases could not overtake the “my Lord” and “if it pleases my Lords.”

The speed and elequence with which Dr Bawumia answered the questions made many think of the once unknown Deputy Bank of Ghana Governor as a gem.

And true to this prediction, the husband of Samira Bawumia became the biggest beneficiary of the 2012 election petition as it propelled him to the political limelight making him the next political big fish in the camp of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“Bawumia has simply irked his name in the political history of the country and would simply become the toast of the ruling gate in NPP once Nana Addo is done with his two terms…,” a friend predicted at the time when the NPP came from the courtroom broadchested despite losing the election petition case.

His influence grew and expanded more when in 2016 he was deliberately dispatched by the NPP Campaign strategists to lead the party’s charge into the Zongos and the Northern parts to help the NPP win more votes.

Results from the 2016 elections showed that indeed the NPP performed well in these regions and the results contributed to the massive victory chalked by Nana Akufo-Addo in that years elections.

Upon becoming Vice President, he has again etched his name in history by leading the digitalisation agenda of the government. “Mr Digital” many prefer to call him when they use their Ghana Card for transactions or have the opportunity to transfer money using the interoperability system.

Today, he seeks to lead the NPP from the front line to break the eight and the question is Can he succeed?

Dr Bawumia’s journey to lead the ‘Akan Party’ to become the first political party in the 4th republic to go beyond the 8-term mandate began with his submission of his nomination forms at the party’s Asylum Down Headquarters.

As expected, supporters of the party of various extraction trooped to the party headquarters to wish him well and prayed he succeed in the battle against party giants like Alan Kyeremanten, Dr Afriyie Akoto, Kennedy Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Boakye Agyarko, Kwabena Agyapong, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Joe Ghartey and others.

He among other things listed the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration when he mounted the podium to a joyous welcome from the party supports.

What really stood out of his speech to the delegates was his humble beginings.

Dr Bawumia recounted his university days in Canada during which he worked as a cleaner in dormitories.

This life experience though not pleasant, he noted, has shaped him and has taught him to respect all manner of people irrespective of their life status.

“My life experience tells me never to take anything for granted and always to have respect for people no matter their stature in life, no matter how big or small they are. The cleaner or the driver you meet today could be the vice president or the president tomorrow,” he said.

The Vice President said this while addressing a mammoth crowd who gave him a rousing welcome at the NPP headquarters as he filed his nomination forms on Friday.

“It has not been an easy journey, it has taken a lot of hard work, discipline, and dedication to get here. I have been a by-day worker on farms during the holidays in secondary school, I have been a warehouse boy even after finishing university, and I have been a mini truck driver.

“I was only able to pay fees for one term during my studies at Oxford University and I had to survive for the rest of my studies without paying fees, thanks to my colleagues. I only settled my fees in arrears after I work following my completion of my PhD in Canada. I have also been a cleaner of toiletries in my university days in Canada, so I can say I have not had it easy at all. But I have always believed that with hard work, honesty and discipline and faith in God almighty, everything was possible,” he recounted.